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A good morning starts the night before.
How you spend those last waking moments has a huge impact on the quality of your sleep and the mood you wake up in.
In this post, I’m excited to share with you the relaxing evening rituals that help me wind down my body and mind, and get a solid night of rest.
Rather than having a strict approach to my evening routine (or wellness, or life), I have a toolkit of various rituals that work for me, which I mix and match based on circumstances. When it comes to wellness rituals, take it easy, be gentle with yourself, and remember that sometimes doing just one ritual can be more effective than a comprehensive ten-step routine. Keep it simple.
Try the ritual(s) that speak to you and let me know how it goes!
Here are some of my evening rituals:
1. Unplug
Turn off technology and bright lights 1-2 hours before bedtime to get your body into rest mode. Stay away from screens (if that’s impossible, dim them or switch on the red screen mode). I usually set my phone on “do not disturb” mode an hour before sleep and don’t look at it until I’m done with my morning routine. Getting a real alarm clock and not bringing your phone into the bedroom is a game-changer!
2. Dim The Lights
Replace bright lights with candles and the soothing light of a Himalayan salt lamp – it neutralizes electromagnetic radiation from all technology and is known to improve breathing and sleep.
3. Get Sleepy
Make a caffeine-free elixir that will help your body relax and get ready for rest.
My go-to sleep drinks are a Turmeric Latte or an Apple Cider Vinegar Elixir. Turmeric is the king of anti-inflammatory herbs and has been used in Ayurveda and beyond for centuries. Apple cider vinegar can be incredibly beneficial for heart and gut health. Both elixirs are incredibly nourishing and equally easy to make!
Turmeric Latte Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 tspn Brandless Organic Unsweetened Golden Milk Mix
- 8 oz steamed or pre-heated milk of your choice (I like oat milk, hemp milk or almond milk)
- 1 tspn raw honey (I like the nutrient-dense Manuka Honey)
- 1 tspn Brandless Organic Coconut Oil
Directions:
Pre-heat or steam the milk. If your steamer allows, steam it with the turmeric powder added on top. If not, add the warm milk and the rest of the ingredients to a blender and blend until frothy.
Turmeric should always be taken with black pepper and a fat which ensure its bioavailability. The Brandless Golden Milk Mix already has black pepper in it (alongside maca, goji berry powder, ginger powder, cinnamon, boswellia, and cardamom) and coconut oil serves the role of the fat and makes it extra frothy. The Mix is also organic, gluten-free, non-GMO and unsweetened, which allows you to choose a sweetener (or none at all).
Sleepy Apple Cider Vinegar Elixir
Ingredients:
- 1 TBS Brandless Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tspn raw honey
- 1 generous squeeze of lemon
- 10 oz hot fresh boiled water
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together and feel ready to sleep within 30 minutes. I don’t know what it is about this elixir, but it works like magic, and tastes delicious! Plus, it’s fantastic for your digestion and gut health.
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4. Wash It Away
Wash away any worries of the day with a nice hot shower. I usually take a shower with a few drops of the Brandless Eucalyptus Essential Oil, (I add a few drops to the shower floor before getting in while the water is running), or a candlelit bath with Epsom salts to get my body fully relaxed.
Then, brush and floss my teeth, wash my face, and indulge in a ritual of a moisturizing face oil paired with a short gua-sha massage.
5. Body Love
When I’m especially wired and need extra support in winding down, I usually do one of the following:
A. Do a 15-minute wind-down yoga routine.
B. Lay down and let myself be swayed side to side by my Chi Machine.
C. Lay down on the floor with my head in my neck hammock.
6. Grateful Heart
There’s now scientific evidence that shows that practicing gratitude increases our resilience and overall happiness levels. I always keep a journal by my bed, and right before I go to sleep, I scribble down a few things I’m grateful for – no matter how big or small they are, I just write down the first things that come to mind. I can’t tell you how powerful this has been! It helps me stay present, grateful, and focus on what’s working in my life over what’s not working. Try it for a week and let me know what happens!
7. Bedtime
Close the blinds, crawl into bed, and enjoy a good night’s sleep! For me, that means closing the blinds, putting on my eye mask and earplugs, and cuddling with an extra pillow.
What are your favorite evening rituals?
